She never referred to that time as a marriage, nor did she speak the name of her former husband. That was fine by me. I was glad to see she’d put that in the past where it firmly belonged.
“Maybe one day I’ll grow tired of it, but I’d help again. If it’s wanted.”
“It’ll be wanted. And whatever you do next will be amazing, too.”
She rested her head on my shoulder. The swing creaked gently beneath us as the sun stretched across the porch, enjoying the quiet before we geared back up tomorrow to get ready for the Christmas tree committee’s visit.
Chapter 34
Anna
I’d promisedboth Chase and Jordan I’d take one more day of taking it easy. I already felt better rested with no headaches, but if it made them relax, I’d do it for them. Besides, I was in the middle of a great new book, and I didn’t mind the excuse to get back to it. A car pulled to a stop outside.
“Getting to be Grand Central Station around here,” I commented to Jack.
He cracked open one eye from where he’d been dozing at my feet, but quickly went back to sleep. He seemed to understand I was safe here and wasn’t always on alert like he once was.
A second later, a knock came at the door, and I opened it to find Beth Monroe standing there in scrubs and a tote bag slung over one shoulder.
“Morning,” she said with a smile. “My first appointment was canceled, so I thought I’d swing by for a quick check and make sure my patient hasn’t decided she’s invincible.”
“Not yet,” I said, stepping aside to let her in. “But I’ve been tempted.”
“Figured as much.” She set her bag on the table with practiced ease. “No one who can put together an event like you did would be content to sit on their hands for very long. Sit. Let’s make sure you’re not faking how good you look this morning. You mind?”
I offered my consent, answering her questions as she poked and examined.
Beth snapped her bag closed and gave me a satisfied nod. “Vitals look good. No warning signs. You’re healing fine—as long as you don’t try to run the farm by lunchtime.”
“I make no promises,” I said, smiling. “But seriously, thanks for checking on me. Just have the clinic invoice me.”
She shook her head. “What if we take it out in trade? I’m obsessed with that soap you put out at the dance. I wash my hands so often they dry out. But even after two days, I swear my skin is softer. I’d love a couple more bars if you have any.”
“I don’t have any now, but I promise you the first bars from the next batch I make.”
“Deal.”
“In the meantime, would you like some coffee? Danish? Chase’s family flooded our kitchen with enough food to last forever, and that’s with a teenager living here.”
Her smile faded a little. “I’d love to, but I have to get to the clinic. Raincheck though? Between moving and working, I haven’t had a lot of time to meet and make many friends.”
I thought of the girls’ night I’d had and how easily they’d enfolded me. “I think I can help with that. I’ll call you soon and we’ll make plans.”
“I’d love that.”
She gave Jack a goodbye scratch and let herself out, leaving the house quiet again. Chase had left early to checkon the Christmas tree fields. He wanted to make sure Marcus had at least followed through on mowing and trimming the grass around all the trees over the past week. I still needed to pull my thoughts together to plan something light to serve the committee, something that would show off other parts of Silver Creek Farm as well.
I’d just started making some notes on my tablet when the kitchen door slammed, causing me to jump and Jack to raise his hackles.
Chase stormed in, mud on his boots, jaw clenched, and eyes burning.
I was instantly on alert. “What happened? What’s wrong?”
He yanked off his gloves and tossed them onto the coffee table like he couldn’t stand the feel of them. “The fields are a mess.”
My stomach dropped. “From the rain last night?”
“No,” he bit out. “This was deliberate. Someone drove through them in a truck, spinning the tires and throwing mud everywhere. Ruts deep enough to lose a boot in. Saplings ground into the dirt. They meant to do damage.”
